Dover 2 - 1 Tanners

Heartbreak for Leatherhead who lose to two freekicks, the latter that sailed in directly almost from the corner flag.

After suffering an early blow from a pinpoint freekick we responded quickly from a Sargent cross into MCS. It looked like another point at the hands of Diver but they struck in the dying minutes. Will video evidence suggest it should have been an indirect free kick though...?

Travelling Tanners

Leatherhead go back to the scene of the crime where many will feel we were robbed of a cup win and harshly treated by the officials. That said it was also a sporting occasion with Dover coming to our rescue and proving the ref and lino were a pair of old duffers. If they hadn't we would have had our midfield maestro in goal for the whole game!

Three points here would make the table a very attractive place to look over. That reminds me... best get packing for Rio!

Directions

From outside of Kent, find your way to the M25, then take the M2/A2 (follow the signs for Canterbury, the signs for Dover will take you down the M20) as far as the Whitfield roundabout (near the Esso petrol station and McDonald's Drive-Thru).

Take the fourth exit at this roundabout, down Whitfield Hill. At the bottom of the hill turn left at the roundabout and follow this road until the first set of traffic lights. At the lights turn right (180 degrees down the hill) and follow the road under the railway bridge, the ground is just up the road.

If you have to take the M20/A20 leave the A20 in Folkestone (the exit immediately after the tunnel through the hill) and travel through the Alkham Valley (turn left at the roundabout at the end of the slip-road and then left again, following the signs for Alkham) which will eventually take you near Kearsney train station (turn right into Lower Road just before the railway bridge, before you get to the station).

Godalming game photos

Some excellent pictures of yesterday's game can be found at:

http://www.shortal.com/andynunn/LeatherheadVGodalmin.html

Many thanks to Andy Nunn for these. Andy is usually Molesey's official photographer but made his way over to the Grove after the game at the Herds Renault stadium was called off.

Not only is he a great phtographer, but he's also a diamond geezer. Cheers, Andy!

Tanners 3 - 0 G's

Leatherhead fought out a slog of a game on a heavy pitch and a lively and determined Godalming side. The first half was largely forgettable, although their 'keeper managed one great save to deny Stevo. Much of the rest of the action involved the visitors getting under the skin of the hosts with Stevo and Sarge notably wound up by something out there.

The second half started the same way. For a while the game played behind the Grove was infinitely more entertaining with a double sending off at one point.

It looked like the visitors were going to inflict a second embarrassing result on us when Harlow rung the changes. MCS and Sheerin on within a few minutes of each other and the two combined for at least two of the goals. In truth Sheerin barely touched the ball but his presence was enough to worry the defence into errors which allowed Greenaway to head home from close range and then pounce on a loose ball.

The third goal was direct from a 30 yard free kick. The 'keeper should have done better but could not cope with the frame of Sheerin and it sailed in over his head.

On to Dover who dropped two points today...

Godalming Town Are Coming

The Gees are coming to the Grove that should be playable thanks to some midweek spiking. If there is some heavy rain then this may change things but as it stands the pitch is good, albeit to heavy.

The next bit of good news is that Eidur Gudjonsson was seen playing for Barcelona midweek so his loan spell that was so deadly against us must have come to an end.

Leatherhead can onlty accept three points as defeat would surely see the current top five pull away... no pressure then!

D to the V to the D!

Its ready. It is probably the best DVD not to have been ready for Christmas but now it is here. It will have the Tanners playing their part on national TV with a few extras on the main disc.

The second disc will be for computers with all of the digital files plus some extras such as MotD which was not suitable for burning to DVD.

The total price is just £5 and coming to a home ground near you this Saturday!

Robins 1 - 0 Tanners

Hayden "Let's just be friends" Bird had the last laugh as he coached his side into the semi-final of the Surrey Senior Cup.

Although Carshalton created few chances they held us at bay quite comfortably throughout the game. Their goal came in the second half and Leatherhead could do little to respond. There was even a Ballack Drogba free kick moment in the dying minutes to take the game away from us.

Many would have dreamed of getting to the final... oh well... there is always the league.

Travelling Tanners

Tomorrow we get back in touch with an old friend as we face Hayden "it's not you, its me" Bird in his role as Coach of Carshalton Athletic.

They are sitting in the lower half of the table but they will no doubt have enough Premier class players to make this another midweek Tuesday night battle we have enjoyed over the recent years.

Kick-off at 7.45... see you there!

Directions
From the M25 Take exit No 8 on the A217 passing Lower Kingswood, Kingswood, Burgh Heath, Banstead, Continue until roundabout before sign to Sutton, bear left still on the A217 continue until you reach the Rose-Hill roundabout (approx 2 miles), take the 4th exit into Wrythe Lane, continue for 1 to 1.5 miles turn right Colston Avenue just before railway bridge. Ground 100 to 150 yards on right. Private road leads to stadium and car park.

Walton Casuals 0 -3 Tanners

Leatherhead see off Walton in the usual style when these two teams meet. 3-0 with loads more chances. Dave Stevens opened the scoring after Lavender's powerful header was dropped by the 'keeper under pressure and the hit man pounced.

One nil at half time even against this side isn't enough and the travelling fans hoped for goals to make this comfortable. It after a period of pressure in the Walton box and the ball eventually fell to Greenaway who made no mistake from 15 yards.

The third was the move of the match. A sweeping ball to Stevens who tucked it back for MCS to calmly slot it past the 'keeper. When it was safe there was enough time for Joe Sheerin to come on, the score remained three nil.

Travelling Tanners

After the fruitless heroics of midweek Leatherhead must be hoping for a change of luck in this weekends clash with Walton Casuals. We have a good record against them, especially Mark Harper who finds the net with alarming regularity against them.

Three points will be top of the menu for the players. The burger with all the trimmings from the pub next door will be on the top of mine...

Directions

Next to the old Elmbridge Leisure Centre, left off Terrace Road at first roundabout out of Walton centre.

TANNERS HEROES DEFEATED IN SODDEN CUP TIE

Dover Athletic 2 - 1 Leatherhead
(Tyne, Bourne) (Greenaway)

A nightmare journey into Kent, some appalling conditions and poor refereeing did not make a happy Tuesday evening for the travelling Tanners.

A motorway smash meant that the kit – and some of the players did not arrive until 10 minutes before the scheduled kick –off time. Subsequently starting later, both sides had torrential rain to contend with and a pitch that began to cut up badly as the night wore on.

The game that started brightly for Leatherhead soon turned into a nightmare. Within 2 minutes, the highly impressive James Greenaway played a good ball into Marc Charles-Smith. There was an opportunity for him to shoot but instead he played the ball back to Greenaway whose effort was blocked by the Dover keeper. A half cleared ball found Dean Carpenter but again goalkeeper, Glen Knight came to the rescue of his team with a second fine save.

Within minutes the home side was in front. A mistake in midfield saw Dover coming forward through James Dryden whose cross found Tommy Tyne. His turn inside his marker left him with a clear shooting chance and Paul Borg had no chance with his finish.

Borg’s night became even worse 10 minutes later. Coming out to stop a 50 / 50 ball, the conditions took a hold and his slide took him outside the penalty area. In no way could it have been adjudged to have been deliberate but referee, Cooper let inflexibility get in the way of common sense and red carded the Tanners stopper.

With midfielder, Gavin Bolger taking over the number 1 jersey this was looking like a tough night ahead for the Tanners but they responded magnificently with a hard fighting performance that often had the Whites on the back foot- and created chances of their own. First, they had to overcome a second goal. Dover are at their best from set pieces and when their number 3 Braithwaite met a free kick at the far post and headed back across goal for Bolger to make a superb early save, centre back Matt Bourne was there to force the ball home.

It could have turned into a rout but the Tanners showed real fighting spirit and no small amount of skill on a surface that was holding up miraculously but was becoming more difficult as the match wore on.

Dave Stevens was unlucky to see a fierce shot from the edge of the area blocked and the visiting fans were starting to celebrate when an Iain Hendry header looped over Knight only to see it cannon back off the cross bar.

With 10 minutes to go in the half, the Tanners got their just deserts. Stevens turned in the box and saw his effort blocked. James Greenaway was the first to react and stabbed the ball home from close in. it was pure justice – both for Greenaway (who was outstanding) and a Leatherhead side that refused to be rolled over.

In the second half, despite covering for the missing 11th man, Leatherhead continued to press for a result. Without the suspended Steve Sargent, the remaining midfield pairing of Stewart Holmes and James Greenaway supported by a battling Scott Bennetts and Dean Carpenter continued to contest every ball and showed some nice touches to create chances of their own.
With 20 minutes left to go, the Tanners could – and should have drawn level.

The penalty was a disputed one. Marc Charles-Smith drove In a hard cross and, from about 5 yards, the ball struck Dover’s James Rogers. Whether it hit his chest or whether he could have avoided the ball is a moot point but the Tanners got their penalty and he picked up a yellow card. That it was not to be the Surrey side’s night was evident when Stevens crashed the spot kick against the bar.

And so the Tanners went out of the Westview Cup but they fought well with Bolger in goal, Lynvall Duncan and the rest of the side more than matching their hosts. The sending off was a poor decision. Home crowds are not normally known for their sympathy to visiting goalkeepers but the boos that met Paul Borg’s dismissal were not directed at him but at a referee who was determined to be the star of the show.

Team Borg Bennetts (Thompson), Carpenter, Duncan, Hendry, Harper, Greenaway (Beer), Holmes, Charles-Smith, Stevens

Report by Steve 'Jackanory' Dennis

Travelling Tanners

Tomorrows game is in the balance as it will face a 10.30am pitch inspection after all of the rain and snow we have had. Please refer to the messageboard for confirmation of the game going ahead or not as I will be travelling to Basel.

If it is on we will go to a side where we felt we could have beaten when they came to the Grove in the league. So we will be hoping to go one step better in the Quarter Final of the Westview Cup.

Directions

For SatNav fans beware. The last time I went to Dover it tried to get me to drive through a church yard. I was tempted but sought an alternative route...

From outside of Kent, find your way to the M25, then take the M2/A2 (follow the signs for Canterbury, the signs for Dover will take you down the M20) as far as the Whitfield roundabout (near the Esso petrol station and McDonald's Drive-Thru).
Take the fourth exit at this roundabout, down Whitfield Hill. At the bottom of the hill turn left at the roundabout and follow this road until the first set of traffic lights. At the lights turn right (180 degrees down the hill) and follow the road under the railway bridge, the ground is just up the road.

If you have to take the M20/A20 leave the A20 in Folkestone (the exit immediately after the tunnel through the hill) and travel through the Alkham Valley (turn left at the roundabout at the end of the slip-road and then left again, following the signs for Alkham) which will eventually take you near Kearsney train station (turn right into Lower Road just before the railway bridge, before you get to the station).

DAVE HARLOW INTERVIEW

This interview was going to appear in the programme for last Saturday's postponed match against Tooting & Mitcham. So rather than waste it I thought I'd post it on here so that everyone can see what DH feels about the way it's going (I've also asked Steve to post on the official website).

Before we talk about recent results etc, how are you enjoying management?
It would be wrong to say it doesn’t have its moments but overall I’m really enjoying it.
What causes you most frustration?
To be honest not too many things apart from the obvious you expect at this level, like players unable to make training due to work commitments.
At the start of the season you said you wanted a big squad so that no-one felt their place was safe. Has that worked out as planned?
I didn't want a big squad just one that had good competition and yes, it has worked but with certain circumstances some players have had to play when possibly they shouldn't.
Let’s turn to tactics. What’s your favourite formation? What are our options and what makes you change things around?
Regarding formations, I don't really have a favourite but with the players we have, and the way most play in this league, I would lean towards three at the back. The funny thing is though I know it frustrates the supporters but we were actually scoring more when we only played with one up front.
We’re now approaching the home straight in the league programme, which opposition team have you been most impressed by so far?
Not been impressed with anyone really, though as I said at the start of the season it will take a good side to finish above Dover.
And which teams (apart from us of course) do you think will be in the final top five?
I’m not really interested in anyone else as long as we are in there.
Realistically, what is our aim in the league – winning it or getting into the play-offs?
I said at the start of the season first round of the F.A Cup and play offs would be a great season, and it’s still possible.
How important are the Surrey Senior and Westview Cups?
These competitions give other players chance to get a game as we don't have a reserve side, also the Surrey Senior Cup is a nice achievement.
Turning to recent games, what happened at Maidstone last Saturday?
Strange really that after playing so well against Dover we didn't really turn up last Saturday, I suppose that must be one of the most frustrating things about being a Manager at this level -the lack of consistency.
And Ashford?
With regards to the Ashford game, it was a very good first forty-five, a poor start to the second half and an amazing piece of refereeing.
Looking ahead, are there any plans to make any more additions to the squad as we approach ‘crunch time’?
Never say never, we will see what happens over the next couple of weeks.
Obviously losing Dochers for the rest of the season is a big miss. What about other injuries right now?
Losing Lee is a huge loss as I think he has surprised a few people this season. Adam Gray has also just had an operation on his knee and will be out for about six weeks.
Any final thoughts on the remainder of the season, and any message for Tanners fans?
Just keep coming - it’s really appreciated by everyone.


Tanner’s Manager Dave Harlow was talking to Programme Editor David ‘Popeye’ Pope

Game Off

Just confirmed, todays game is off. The pitch inspection was at 10.30 and there was simply too much surface water for the game to go ahead.

Damn and blast!!

Tooting & Mitcham are coming!

Old friends and occasional foes Rootin' Tootin' will be making their way down to the Grove on Saturday kick-off 3pm.

If ever there was a 'six-pointer' then this is it. Tooting have hit a rich vein of form, winning their last 4 games to overtake the Tanners in the league table. They are 7th and we are 8th, one point behind. They are scoring goals like they're going out of fashion. Just the sort of game where we play to our potential. My prediction, a 6-5 win to the Greens.

In the words of Toris Amos, "it's gonna be big".

Be there and get behind the Tanners!

Popeye

Travelling Tanners

It is time to try and make some ground on those teams that aren't playing it tomorrow but to do it we must make one of those local midweek journeys. We go to Ashford...the one in Kent... thanks.

I'll be drinking some of the finest stout Ireland has to offer but my thoughts will be with you. Good luck!

Directions

Leave the M20 at Junction 10, follow the signs for International station and Brenzett.

You should be on a dual carriageway called Bad Munsterieful road. follow this road straight over the first round about (McDonalds drive through and Travel Inn on your right). at the next roundabout take the first exit sign posted Kingsnorth. at the next roundabout go straight over (Tesco's on your left).

Follow this road for about 2 miles, going through Kingsnorth, passing the cricket club on the left. The Homelands is 300 yards on your left.

Ref Watch

For those concerned over the health of yesterday's referee he was given the all clear at about 7pm last night. That said he is going to miss the next few games as a precaution.

Relief all round then!

Maidstone 4 - 2 Tanners

Leatherhead gave away two early goals and lost by two goals in a strange game. Although Dave Stevens pounced on Sargent's cross to make it interesting it was far from a polished performance. During the half time break the ref had to go off with one of the strangest complaints I have heard of. He was taken ill with internal bleeding and an ambulance called so our thoughts are with him.

The reshuffle of officials again saw another controversial incident where Julien chested the ball towards goal. The lino gave it as a goal and while some travelling Tanners confirmed it was the right decision it wasn't as clear cut as the one we didn't get at Dover.

This came after Maidstone again scored two quick goals, the best of theirs coming from a quickly taken Leatherhead free kick that hit the heels of a Maidstone player. The resulting Maidstone move saw the ball tee up nicely and the struck volley beat Borg from 30 yards.

On to Ashford then for another charge into the top 5...

Travelling Tanners

After a great home performance against a strong side with a share of the points we will now need the same if not more when we travel to Maidstone. I say Maidstone but actually they play at Sittingbourne’s ground so there is an extra few miles in it for us.

Our form couldn’t be any more different from the last time we played. The FA Cup hangover was so bad then, we had pretty much only rolled out of bed and didn’t even have time to reach for the aspirin by the time they had put three goals past us. Hopefully we can get some form of revenge tomorrow.

Directions
Take the A249 towards Sittingbourne. Bear left at the first slip road and take the A2 towards Sittingbourne Town Centre.
Follow the A2 into the one way system and follow directions to Canterbury (NOT the town centre) until you come to a roundabout (outside the station). Take the third exit, St Michael's Road, pass the fire station on your left and turn left into Crown Quay Lane (at the first set of traffic lights).
Go under the railway bridge and up to a roundabout where you turn right into Eurolink Way. This road curves left at the end into Castle Road, continue along this road (DO NOT go up Dolphin Road) until you come to a small roundabout, take the second exit, Stadium Way, and at the end of this road turn right into Church Road and left into the football club car park through the large gates. Go under the barrier and down the slope to the lower car park.

Pub Guide
There is a pub called “The Barge” on the Crown Quay Road that appears highly rated. If the club house isn’t showing the Liverpool game you could try there…